Ferrari Challenge Opens at Monza
24.3.01

The opening round of this season's Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy drew a big crowd of 10,000 fans to the Monza circuit. They were treated to some great racing from the 52 competitors.

The day's events kicked off with the 10 lap race for the 360 Modena Challenge. Quickest off the line was reigning champion Stefano Livio, followed by Medici, Di Risio and the rookie Cadei, who has made the switch to the Challenge from single-seaters. He proved he had adapted quickly to the new discipline, overtaking his main rival on the third lap.

Baso and La Barbera tangle

However, the race result was determined by a spectacular accident, with no harm to the drivers. It involved Baso, who braked very late for the first chicane and La Barbera. The arrival of the Safety Car froze the positions, confirming Livio's win ahead of Medici and Cadei.

The first ten lap race in the F355 category held less drama, with Claudio Turrini untouchable right from the start. Battocchi was a great second ahead of a hard-charging Masselli.

Threading through a chicane at the start

In the second 360 race, run over 18 laps, Savoldi got away perfectly from pole position and was relatively untroubled all the way to the flag. There was a right tussle going on behind him which saw the elimination of several favourites including Montani, Moncini, Nicolodi, Perazzini, Garbagnati and most importantly, one of the main contenders in the first race, Cadei.

The chaos played into the hands of the experienced men like Livio (2nd,) Belluzzi who finished third, starting from the front row and Beppe Schenetti (4th.) In the overall classification, two drivers racked up the points: Livio on 44 and Savoldi on 40. In third place was Andrea Belluzzi on 20.

In the second 10 lap F355 race, Claudio Turrini did the double, once again ahead of Battocchi and Masselli. Turrini thus totally dominated the overall standings on 50 points. Second was Battocchi on 39 and Masselli with 32 points.

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